Are artists obsessed with redheads? Would your hairstyle be considered sexually suggestive in the past? We chat with Rachael Gibson of the Instagram account @thehairhistorian about hair trends in art history from the Egyptians to the present, and decode some of the hidden messaging behind hairstyles in art.

This episode's guest

Rachael is a freelance hair editor, working for hair brands including Schwarzkopf Professional and Mastered, where she creates their online session styling courses with Guido and Sam McKnight. She also runs the Instagram account @thehairhistorian, where she explores her love for art history and hair history. Rachael studied Fashion Design at Manchester Metropolitan University and also obtained an MA in Fashion Journalism from the London College of Fashion.

Previously she worked as web editor for Hairdressers Journal International – the online home of the 135-year-old title Hairdressers Journal – and was also editor at the Scissorhands Media portfolio of consumer hair titles.